Learn a little Chinese every day
Grammar Point:The Chinese word 因此 yīncǐ is a conjunction that is often used to indicate a logical consequence, inference, or conclusion. It is similar in meaning to the English phrases “as a result” or “therefore,” and it is commonly used in formal writing. Structure Cause + 因此 yīncǐ + effect 我wǒ太tài累lèi了le， 因此yīncǐ决定juédìng早點zǎodiǎn上床shàngcháig睡覺shuìjiào我wǒ太tài累lèi了le， 因此yīncǐ决定juédìng早点儿zǎodiǎnr上床shàngcháig睡觉shuìjiàoI’m too tired,…
Grammar Point:The term 儘尽量 jìjǐnliàng in Chinese serves as an adverb and is used to convey the idea of “as much as possible” or “to the greatest extent.” It is often used in various contexts to indicate a strong effort to maximize or optimize something. Structure In China, you might come across the word “儘尽量”…
Spices and herbs play a big role in Chinese food, adding all sorts of yummy flavors and smells. Imagine the spicy tingle of Sichuan peppercorns or the nice smell of star anise. In this article about ‘Spices & Herbs in Chinese,’ we’ll dig into the interesting things about these ingredients and how they make Chinese…
Structure S + 也 yě + V 也 yě generally indicates that something is included in a similar way to what has been mentioned or in addition to it which can be translated into “also,” “either,” or “too” in English. 我wǒ喜歡xǐhuān狗gǒu， 我wǒ弟弟dìdi也yě喜歡xǐhuān狗gǒu我wǒ喜欢xǐhuan狗gǒu， 我wǒ弟弟dìdi也yě喜欢xǐhuan狗gǒuI like dogs, and my younger brother likes them, too. 我wǒ也yě要yào喝hē珍珠奶茶zhēnzhūnǎichá！ 我wǒ也yě要yào喝hē珍珠奶茶zhēnzhūnǎichá！ I…
Grammar Point:The adverb 都 dōu in Chinese is typically used to indicate “all” or “both” and can be placed before the verb or before the subject. It is commonly used in sentences to indicate that multiple things or people are involved in an action or state. Structure S + 都 dōu + V or SV…
Final Particles 吧 ba Checking or confirmation: compare with 嗎吗 ma, this one you already have some guessing in your mind. 🔊 你nǐ是shì日本人rìběnrén吧ba? 你nǐ是shì日本人rìběnrén吧ba? You are Japanese, right? 你nǐ喜歡xǐhuān貓māo吧ba? 你nǐ喜欢xǐhuan猫māo吧ba? You like cats, don’t you? Suggestion 🔊 你nǐ學xué一點yìdiǎn中文zhōngwén吧ba! 你nǐ学xué一点儿yìdiǎnr中文zhōngwén吧ba! You should learn some Chinese! 我們wǒmen今天jīntiān吃chī牛肉麵niúròumiàn吧ba!!我们wǒmen今天jīntiān吃chī牛肉面niúròumiàn吧ba!! Let’s eat beef noodles today! (suggest) Compromise (Using as a…
Grammar Point:The phrase “In person” in Chinese is 親亲自 qīnzì. It refers to doing something yourself or in one’s own physical presence, rather than through a representative or by some other indirect means. Structure S + 親亲自 qīnzì + V + O 這zhè是shì我wǒ親自qīnzì做zuò的de蛋糕dàngāo这zhè是shì我wǒ亲自qīnzì做zuò的de蛋糕dàngāoThis is a cake I made personally. 你nǐ親自qīnzì去qù跟gēn他tā說shuō的de嗎ma？ 你nǐ亲自qīnzì去qù跟gēn他tā说shuō的de吗ma？ Did you personally talk…
Grammar Point:In English, you can express the idea of having absolutely no money, not even a single penny. This notion of “not even one” can also be conveyed in Chinese. Structure 一 yì + MW + N + 也 yě or 都 dōu + negation 他tā一yí句jù中文zhōngwén也yě不會búhuì說shuō他tā一yí句jù中文zhōngwén也yě不会búhuì说shuōHe can’t speak a single word of Chinese. 我wǒ一yí個ge歐洲ōuzhōu國家guójiā也yě沒méi去qù過guò我wǒ一yí个ge欧洲ōuzhōu国家guójiā也yě没méi去qù过guòI haven’t…
The Chinese words 去 qù and 來来 lái are verbs that mean “to go” and “to come.” They are fundamental and commonly used words in the Chinese language, indicating movement from one place to another, such as going to a location, leaving a place, or traveling to a specific destination. In Chinese, you can also…
What is the most common sentence order in Chinese? 📌 Time + Subject + How + Location + Action * Time words can either go after the subject or before the subject.* If you want to specify the direction, the directional word should come after ‘how’ and before ‘location’. Time Subject How Direction Location Action 去年 弟弟 坐船…